2013 Pacific Nations Cup: USA v Tonga

[dudeabides]

Here is the squad the Eagles are going with, anybody have Tonga's? I just know they'll be without Halaifonua, Piutau and 'Aholelei.

The match takes place Friday June 14th at 7:30 Pacific Time from the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Men's Eagles | vs. Tonga
1. Shawn Pittman
2. Chris Biller
3. Eric Fry
4. Brian Doyle
5. Louis Stanfill
6. Scott LaValla
7. Peter Dahl
8. Todd Clever (C)
9. Mike Petri
10. Toby L'Estrange
11. James Paterson
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya
15. Chris Wyles

Men's Eagles | Reserves
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Nick Wallace
18. Phil Thiel
19. Graham Harriman
20. John Quill
21. Robbie Shaw
22. Adam Siddall
23. Blaine Scully

http://www.usarugby.org/mens-eagles...d-for-pacific-nations-cup-clash-against-tonga

 

[IKALETAHI]

Tonga Line Up

1. Kamaliele SAKALIA
2. Elvis TAIONE
3. Taione VEA
4. Joshua AFU
5. Tukulua LOKOTUI
6. Hale T POLE
7. Nili LATU
8. Paula KAHO
9. Thomas PALU
10. Taniela MOA
11. Will HELU
12. Sione PIUKALA
13. Fraser ANDERSON
14. Viliame 'IONGI
15.Viliami HAKALO

16. 'Ilaisa MA'ASI
17. Peni FAKALELU
18. Sila PUAFISI
19. Emosi KAUHENGA
20. Daniel FALEAFA
21. Siale FAHIU
22. Samisoni PONE
23. Samisoni MASIMA

 

[dudeabides]

Thank you, I think this will be a good one even though USA is without two players that helped a lot against Ireland last week: Hume (injured) and Manoa (just resting).

 

[norcalbuff]

I think Paterson is a better wing against Tonga anyway as he is much better defensively than Hume. Sucks not having Manoa but I'd rather have him for the RWCQs anyway.

Rugbymag says the rumor in Houston last weekend was that 10,000 tickets had been sold already. I'm not sure I believe it but I think we're looking at another 10k+ crowd anyway (likely helped by lots of Tongan-Americans buying tickets).

 

[-InvIctus-]

What Time is that GMT ? Please ? Thanks

 

[dudeabides]

I believe GMT is 7 hours ahead of PT and that would make it 2:30 AM.

 

[Tony Manx]

I believe it would be 03.30 Saturday.....presuming it is 19.30 Friday Pacific time?

But then again....it just may be 02.30!!

 

[-InvIctus-]

Okay thanks anyone know if its on free view ?

 

[IKALETAHI]

Tonga hit with Injuries the only two fly halves in the Team Kurt Morath and Fangatapu Apikotoa are out Injured. So they have moved Half Back Moa to Fly Half and brought in SF Golden Gate's Samisone Pone to back up. Strike Weapon Fetu'u Vainikolo is Out with an Inj, while Siale Piutau, Eddie Aholelei and David Halaifonua are all Suspended.

 

[dudeabides]

This match starts in about 15 minutes they say, we can watch here if you don't have Universal:

http://www.irb.com/live/video.html

 

[dudeabides]

USA took a 3-0 lead after Wyles penalty kick 3 min. in, but Tonga is about to kick their own.

Edit: all tied at 3 after hakalo's kick.


Edit again: Tonga could have scored again 2 minutes later after running all the way down the pitch, but after a penalty in front of the posts they elected to scrum and committed an infraction. (Early push)

Edit again '13 in... does anybody know what's up with this ref Pastrana?

Edit: Tonga try 14 min in, #12 Piukala puts in down between the posts.

Edit: Wyles is kicking great for USA for touch, and penalties 6-10 19 minutes in.

 

[LittleGuy]

A U.S.A. win would really help Canada out, our lineup heading to Japan will likely be hurting so we kind of need the other teams to split their games.

Edit Tongan try as I post that LOL, 10-3

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Latu as always leading from the front. Great to see him return as a regular fixture in the Ikale Tahi after his long exile and missing the RWC.
Nice try by Piukala...Tonga looking the good.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Nice shunt there by the US scrum...The Tongan pack got destroyed on that one..

 

[dudeabides]

Nice work in the scrum by the Eagles and then Wyles boots them within the 22 after the penalty.

 

[dudeabides]

The Tongan captain was yellow carded for high tackling a 6'7 player, Doyle who's still down. Wyles kicks after the penalty good, score 9-10 Tonga by 1.

 

[LittleGuy]

The Tongan captain was yellow carded for high tackling a 6'7 player, Doyle who's still down. Wyles kicks after the penalty good, score 9-10 Tonga by 1.

HAHAHAHA, it's like Tonga creates new "carding" highlights weekly. Though they don;t seem to suffer as much men down as the commentator suggested.

 

[dudeabides]

The crowd might have made Ngwenya toss that pass into touch cheering him on when he ran the sideways length of the pitch he got a little excited.

Edit: Meanwhile they show Chris Wyles bouncing off tacklers but USA isn't doing anybetter with Latu in the bin.

 

[usausa]

HAHAHAHA, it's like Tonga creates new "carding" highlights weekly. Though they don;t seem to suffer as much men down as the commentator suggested.

These commentators suck, have always hated when they do games here, they do the voice over for RWC and IRB 7s matches too. Well, the color man does, he is former Eagle 15s and 7s cap Brian Hightower. So dry, boring, and his voice just infuriates me.

 

[AfakasiAssasin]

Tongas set piece has been a mess the whole first half. Surprised US do not have the lead yet.